Login
Nearly 1 in 10 lawyers plan to leave the profession within the year
New academic research shows there is a concerning number of Australian lawyers planning to leave their current employers, with some even contemplating leaving the legal profession altogether.
Grace Robbie
The Australian National University and the University of Melbourne have published an interim summary detailing the findings from a survey conducted in March of this year, which examined the wellbeing of legal professionals in Australia.
The survey gathered responses from a total of 1,891 practising lawyers who work in law firms located in Victoria, Western Australia, and NSW.
The findings in the interim report indicated a concerning trend of dissatisfaction within the legal profession, with 28.6 per cent of respondents indicating that they are considering leaving their current employers within the upcoming year.
An even more alarming finding was that 8.4 per cent of participants indicated they had the intention to leave the legal profession entirely within the following year.
In the survey, respondents had the opportunity to express their motivations and reasoning behind their intentions to leave the profession.
The most frequently cited reason for leaving was dissatisfaction with the “reward/effort” balance in the profession. Many respondents pointed to the high demands of their work, particularly long hours and heavy workloads, compared to the rewards they received. Common complaints included “unreasonable demands and expectations, a lack of work/life balance and flexibility in work arrangements”.
The second most common reason cited for lawyers to depart from their employers or the legal profession was the stress and constant pressure described as “unsustainable and unreasonable” they endured.
The report indicated that many respondents are experiencing symptoms of burnout, steaming from the pressures they face in their roles. Others expressed concerns that the ongoing demands and workload they face may ultimately result in burnout in the future.
Another reason lawyers raised for their intentions to leave was their growing desire to pursue a change in role or a complete transition in their career path. Several lawyers expressed interest in pursuing law-adjacent careers, where they could use their legal skills in less demanding environments, while some are exploring opportunities outside the legal field entirely, driven by the desire for better work/life balance and more personal fulfilment.
Poor workplace culture and ineffective leadership also contributed significantly to lawyers’ intention to leave. Many participants reported feeling unsupported by management, citing toxic work environments, lack of recognition, and, in some cases, bullying or discrimination.
The final most recurring reason towards these lawyers wanting to leave the profession is the detrimental impact that legal work has on their physical and mental wellbeing. The report highlights that a significant number of respondents are already experiencing adverse health effects, while others express concerns that the ongoing pressures associated with their roles may result in long-term health complications.
Additionally, it has been revealed that individuals employed in high-stress sectors such as government, community legal centres, and family law are susceptible to experiencing “vicarious trauma” due to the profound issues they routinely confront in their professional responsibilities.
The report’s principal researcher, Professor Vivien Holmes from the ANU College of Law, said that while the “data on ‘intention to leave’ is concerning”, she expressed that more will be uncovered when the final report is published in the “coming months”. She also said that the final report will contain “suggestions of steps that employers can take” to address the various factors identified as contributing to individuals considering leaving law firms and, more broadly, the legal profession.
